- The list below includes 403 free or cheap things to do in or near Essex, Massachusetts, including 109 different types of inexpensive activities like History Museums, Specialty Museums, Parks and Movie Theaters.
- From Cogswell's Grant to Essex Shipbuilding Museum, there are a variety of budget-friendly attractions in Essex and in nearby cities within 25 miles like Boston, Gloucester, Cambridge and Salem.
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0.6 Miles
Cogswell's Grant is a small rustic former home of renowned collectors Nina and Bertram Little. The home contains many folk-art pieces and serves as a landscape for the art itself.
0.2 Miles
At Essex Shipbuilding Museum, visitors can view a number of maritime historical artifacts which depict the boat-building techniques from late 17th century to the present.
2.9 Miles
92%
12 votes
Argilla Road, Ipswich, MA 01938
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Kayakers and boaters love visiting Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate. Three-and-a-half miles of gravel roads and foot trails lead to the Crane burial site atop Choate Island. Wildlife seen in the area include gulls, sanderlings and sandpipers.
3.7 Miles
Castle Hill lies within the Crane Estate which overlooks the sea and features rolling landscaped gardens that connect to the shoreline. The area comprises of numerous hiking trails and is home to diverse local wildlife.
3.7 Miles
Crane Beach comprises of mutiple sand dunes and salt marshes coupled with a number of walking trails and boardwalks which offer panoramic views of the Ipswich Bay.
4.1 Miles
The Ipswich Historical Society founded the Ipswich Museum in 1890. The current collection reflects more than 100 years of acquisition and is displayed in both the 1677 Whipple House and the 1800 Heard House.
4.1 Miles
Part of the Ipswich Museum, the Whipple House was built in 1677 and is a National Historic Landmark. The house is a good example of first period American architecture. Visitors can tour the house -- which contains many original furnishings.
4.1 Miles
Built in 1795, the Heard House Museum is a furnished museum/home with décor and furniture that reflects both Asian and Western styles due to the prominence of trade with China during the period of the home.
4.2 Miles
Turkey Shore Distilleries offers a tour of a rum distillery so that visitors can see rum made, learn about the process from the distiller and taste the wares. Limited release seasonal rums can be sampled there also.
4.3 Miles
Despite its grim-sounding name, Coffin's Beach is a picturesque white sound beach that stretches for almost two miles. The beach features scenic dunes, and when the tide goes out visitors can see a large rock formation with crabs and lobsters.